Balloons and bounty fest returns this weekend

ONEIDA- What started out as a rainy first full day of Balloons and Bounty at Wolf Oak Acres on Saturday, turned sunny and people started pouring in to the 180-acre agri-tourism spot.

Rain cancelled a morning hot-air balloon launch and delayed the start of live music that will play through the festival weekend, but by 1 p.m. all planned activities were back on schedule for the Columbus Day weekend festival, which features games, live music, local food vendors and other attractions.

"So far, everything has been going well," said Katrina Blanchard, owner of Wolf Oak Acres, on Saturday as the sun started peeking through the clouds, "we're hanging in there."

Blanchard said that last year's festival drew over 12,000 visitors over a three day period, and she hoped to see those numbers again.

"Some people are driving from as far as six hours away," Blanchard said.

She said her favorite aspect of the event would have to be, 'being able to promote local vendors."

"There are so many unique things here," she said. To name a few local items for sale: Handmade jewelry, New York wine, maple syrup, cheese and baked goods.

On Saturday, Mitchell was busy selling his six varieties of pasta sauce and meatball subs made using his sauce, which he learned how to make from his father, Don Mitchell. And, Don Mitchell learned to make it from his parents who both hailed from Calabria, Italy.

Making sauce is a family tradition for Mitchell. Growing up in Canastota, he has fond memories of Sunday dinners which included sauce simmering on the stove starting early in the morning.

"The smell would just fill the house," he said with a smile.

Over two years ago, Mitchell, a certified executive chef, decided to go into business, making his family recipe. His sauce line was certified as Pride of NY, which means it is created, marketed and sold in New York.

After more than two years in business, Mitchell's sauce can be found in mom and pop food markets in the area as well and Price Chopper and Tops.

For Mitchell, what is most special about his sauceis its versatility. It works well with pasta, on pizza, as a dipping sauce..."it can even be used as a soup base."

Another difference between Mitchell's sauce and store brands is that his sauce is naturally a low-sodium product, he said. With the exception of tomatoes, all the other ingredients are from local sources, an achievement he is very proud of.

Any advice for novice sauce makers?

"Don't rush it," Mitchell said," Let the flavors marry each other."

He added that some of his sauces can take four to five hours to prepare.

Elsewhere at the festival, Sylvia Stoltzfus of Deansboro was busy selling Jake's Gouda cheese- a line of Gouda named for her husband.

The cheese is made by Stoltzfus at their dairy farm using a recipe from the Netherlands, she said, the cheese is generally aged anywhere from 60 to 120 days.

She also brought homemade bread and cookies. Stoltzfus couldn't remember how long she has been making bread, it has always just been something she does. If she had one piece of advice to give anyone about making bread, it would be that if an electric stand mixer is being used to mix the dough, be sure that the yeast does not over heat.

If that happens, "you can deactivate the yeast and it won't rise properly," she cautioned.

The festival willbe coming to a close on Monday.

The farm is located at 6470 Creek Road in Oneida. Admission is $8.50 per person. Children under 36 inches tall are admitted free.

Sunday will kick off with a 7 a.m. balloon launch. Again, the day's activities will include a 10 a.m. opening of grounds and vendor tents, stage shows, strolling magic performances and pony rides for children.

From noon to 4 p.m. the Utica Zoo will be on-site with live animal exhibits. There will be a 4 p.m. balloon launch. The farm's regular harvest activities will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Columbus Day Monday will be the last day of the festival, and will begin with a 7 a.m. balloon launch. The day includes a 10 a.m. opening of grounds and vendor tents, stage shows, strolling magic performances and pony rides for children. From noon to 4 p.m. the Utica Zoo will again have live animal exhibits. There will be a 4:30 p.m. balloon launch. The grounds and festival close at 6 p.m.